Peerless Divine Doctor in the City of Flowers
Chapter 96: If You Can’t Pay, Take a Person Instead

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: If You Can’t Pay, Take a Person Instead

"Who is the ’Heaven’ of this Tianxiang Pavilion?"

The private room door was pushed open, and Mr. Qi, with a darkened face, strode in.

His eyes, blazing with anger, glared at Liu Xirui who stood there.

"Boss... How have you returned... How is the young Madam’s health!"

The once arrogant and domineering Liu Ruixi, instantly put on a smiling face and walked over.

The warm and fuzzy feeling he gave off was like a dog wagging its tail.

"I’m asking you a question, if you are the ’Heaven’ of Tianxiang Pavilion, then who am I?"

Mr. Qi’s icy gaze sent chills down Liu Ruixi’s spine.

"No... It’s not like that... I was just speaking carelessly... I encountered a swindler who somehow forged a supreme card, trying to cheat and drink in our establishment for free. I was about to take him to the law enforcement department—so... in my anger, I spoke without thinking and got a bit too brash. It was all in order to reclaim the losses for the Pavilion."

Liu Ruixi bowed and scraped as he explained.

"With which eye did you see it was a forgery?"

Mr. Qi’s eyes were filled with indignation as he stared at Liu Ruixi: "As a manager, don’t you know that the holders of the supreme card are esteemed guests of Tianxiang Pavilion? Without verifying, are you not afraid of offending a distinguished guest?"

"Young Master, you’ve just returned to the country and may not be aware of our domestic situation. I have been in the catering business for over thirty years, and I can tell what a person is like at one glance. This young man doesn’t have an ounce of flesh on his face, with his shifty mien, though he wears brand names, they obviously look like they were bought on the spot—this is what they call ’a weasel playing at being a peacock.’ It’s clear that he’s someone who hangs around just for food; such people need to be dealt with strictly!"

Liu Ruixi gave Lin Fan a disdainful glance.

Having said his piece,

Lin Fan was smiling.

But Mr. Qi was on the verge of tears.

"So, deal with it strictly, huh? Very well!"

Mr. Qi clenched his fists tightly, struggling to suppress the rage in his heart.

With a wave of his hand, the accountant immediately stepped forward from behind him.

"Here are your accounts for the past two months. After checking, why is there more than two million silver in emergency funds missing?"

"This... Young Master... This... There’s a reason for this... Let me explain!"

Liu Ruixi suddenly became panicked.

The money was embezzled for his personal use, but according to financial regulations, there would be an audit only once every six months.

That’s why he wanted to seize this opportunity to make some interest by lending loans.

"Explaining to me is pointless; you’re already involved in job embezzlement, and I’ve already called the police. Explain it to these two gentlemen," Mr. Qi said.

Before Mr. Qi’s words even faded, two officials in law enforcement uniforms walked in.

"Liu Ruixi, you are suspected of job embezzlement and illegal lending. Come with us."

When the shiny silver handcuffs clicked onto Liu Ruixi’s wrists,

He finally snapped out of his shock.

"Young Master... Listen to my explanation... Give me a chance... Mr. Liu... Save me... Save me..."

In his panic, Liu Ruixi could only look to Liu Mo, who was sitting there.

The lending matter was indeed coordinated with him after all.

But at that moment, he had already lowered his head.

Recently, he was in a precarious situation himself, like a clay Buddha crossing a river.

"Mr. Lin, it is my mismanagement that has affected your dining experience, and for this, I apologize to you."

Without paying any attention to the continuously begging Liu Ruixi, Mr. Qi walked quickly up to Lin Fan.

He respectfully addressed him.

This scene instantly caused a sensation in the entire room.

Especially for Liu Ruixi, who stood there, watching the scene unfold in utter disbelief.

Just from the level of respect shown, it was absolutely certain that the supreme card was no fake.

"I’m in a great mood; the dishes at Tianxiang Pavilion are indeed delicious, so there’s no need to apologize. However, before I started eating, I had an agreement with Mr. Liu across from me for splitting the bill fifty-fifty. Since my half of the bill has become unnecessary to pay, does that mean he has to foot the bill? Unless, of course, he also has one of these cards," Lin Fan said, holding a toothpick in his mouth and pinching the supreme card in his hand, smiling as he looked at the pale-faced, sweat-drenched Liu Mo.

He had spent quite a bit of silver on this indulgent meal.

"Mr. Liu, the meal costs a total of two million, but you only need to pay one million. Please settle the bill."

Qi Sijiang agreed and immediately brought the front desk staff to Liu Mo’s side.

"One million... one million..."

Liu Mo licked his lips awkwardly.

The two hundred thousand on his card was nowhere near enough to pay the bill.

"Mr. Liu, you’re not suggesting the food wasn’t good, are you? If so, let me eat some more!"

Lin Fan said with a smile, stood up, and grabbed another bottle of wine, twisting off the cap right then and there.

"Now it’s one million and thirty thousand!"

"You..."

Liu Mo glared at Lin Fan furiously.

With everyone watching him, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and take out his credit card.

If he delayed any longer, that guy might drink more.

Each bottle would cost him over thirty thousand.

"Beep beep... insufficient balance!"

When the alert sounded, the gazes of everyone in the room turned complex.

And Liu Mo’s face turned ashen.

He hung his head in silence.

"Hey, didn’t a certain someone just boast about their privileged background? How come they suddenly can’t fork over such a small amount of money?"

Lin Fan, holding the bottle of wine, made his way to Liu Mo’s side.

"I... I’ve invested in several projects recently... the final payments haven’t come through yet... otherwise how could I lack this little bit of money... so... I’ll owe you for this meal. As soon as the funds arrive tomorrow, I’ll pay up!"

Liu Mo pondered for a long time before he finally raised his head.

"Mr. Liu, I’m sorry, but Tianxiang Pavilion does not have a precedent for running a tab, so please make the payment,"

Qi Sijiang said coldly, without an ounce of leniency.

"Mr. Qi, my father is the president of Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, and we’ve held many business gatherings at Tianxiang Pavilion. I’m an old customer of yours, aren’t I? Are you really afraid I’ll short you this little bit of money?"

Liu Mo angrily slammed his hand on the table as he stood up.

"If it’s not a big deal, then please settle the bill!"

Qi Sijiang’s tone remained as detached as ever.

Compared to customers, it was Lin Fan who truly couldn’t be offended.

"You... don’t push me too far... do you believe that if this continues, Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce won’t come here for events anymore!"

Liu Mo hadn’t expected Qi Sijiang to not give him any face.

Once again, he played the father card.

"Tianxiang Pavilion runs its business on quality and the dining experience we offer. If guests wish to come, they’re welcome; if they don’t want to, they’re free not to. But paying for a meal is a matter of course. If you want to freeload using the name of Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, it’s also not impossible. Make a phone call and have your father come over to sign an IOU. Even if you never pay it back, I’ll accept it."

Qi Sijiang said with a cold smile.

If word got out that the esteemed president dined and dashed,

his business reputation would be utterly ruined.

He wouldn’t dare do such a thing, not if he had the nerve.

"You..."

Liu Mo’s face turned red with suppressed anger, but he didn’t know what to say.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan was already wrapping an arm around Yang Linglong’s waist, heading for the door.

"Linglong, you really need to be more observant of people in the future. Just because someone comes from a good background doesn’t mean they have money. Look at this: the son of the president of the mighty Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce still needs to run a tab for a meal. Oh, people!"

This mocking left Liu Mo with clenched fists.

His face turned a shade of green and yet he was unable to speak.

This banquet had entirely disgraced him.